Luxury Whiskys

While it’s fairly common to find high-end spirits — like luxury vodkas, gins, rums, and tequilas — at your local liquor store, few cross the barrier into the realm of the ridiculously expensive.

Whisky, on the other hand, has such a rich history and diverse character that some of its higher-end bottles play on a level that other spirits can’t match. With that in mind, we’ve sourced five of the finest — top-shelf and ultra-expensive — bottles of luxury whiskys on the market today.

While none of the luxury whiskys on this list are as expensive as the $38,000 bottle of The Macallan 60 Years Old Fine & Rare Whisky — which is, sadly, sold out — more than a few will set you back a few dollars.

If, by the way, you’re interested in a taste of The Macallan 60 Years Old Whisky, head down to the Old Homestead Steakhouse in the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City. But bring your wallet: a wee dram will set you back $3,300.

Midleton Very Rare

$139/700 ml bottle

As its name suggests, Midleton Very Rare is one of Ireland’s rarest whiskeys and one of the most expensive Irish whiskeys on the market.

Made from a blend of 12- and 25-year-old whiskeys, and aged in only a few carefully selected bourbon barrels, this bottle can range from good to brilliant, and there is a noticeable difference between bottles from one year to the next.

Normally, Midleton Very Rare is characterized by a spicy aroma and notes of ginger and vanilla. On the tongue, you can pick up light, sweet notes that are not unlike nut cake or fresh peaches. In a good year, this is easily one of Ireland’s finest whiskeys — and even if the vintage wasn’t so great, you won’t be disappointed.

Glenfiddich 40 Year Old

$2,500/700 ml bottle

At Whisky Magazine’s 2003 blind taste testing, Glenfiddich’s 40 Year Old was judged the world’s finest single malt. More than that, it was judged best-in-class at the 2007 International Wine & Spirit Competition. This is truly a world-class winner among luxury whiskys.

As it’s a Speyside whisky — and the world’s most expensive at that — it’s loaded with all those beautiful intangibles that make these luxury whiskys great. Apart from that, being aged for 40 years helps improve the flavor considerably.

Only 600 bottles of this beauty were ever produced, so it’s as rare as it is brilliant.

Glenfiddich’s 40 Year Old is slow to develop in the glass, so let it rest for a moment or two — if you can wait that long. On the tongue, you’ll quickly appreciate why this is one of the world’s finest whiskys. It’s very deep and complex, with notes of honey and a wonderful, long, dry, smoky, peaty finish.